Bob and me :)

For those of you who don't know who Bob is,

He has been very special in my life and 

sometimes I love him more than anything else

because he makes everything disappear.

Cute, right?

Bob is my violin. Sorry to burst any bubbles!

I've been playing the violin since I was in fifth grade

when I joined Mr. and Mrs. Mann's orchestra.

I was hooked from the very first day!

I'll be the first to admit, I was never the best at practicing

but that doesn't mean I didn't love it.

I got Bob when I was going into 7th grade.

It was a HUGE surprise. 

I had been playing Lindsay's little half sized violin

and it was clear to everyone that I was quickly outgrowing it.

Mr. Mann brought it up frequently that I needed a bigger one,

but I avoided the topic because I knew it was a lot of money.

Then, one day we got a huge box in the mail, and 

SURPRISE! A new violin!

He got his name when I was in 9th grade...

to be honest I think it started as a joke

But BOY did it stick!

When I was playing in the orchestra for The Secret Garden

I remember Tanner Davis seeing me walk through

the doors and he said, "BOB!!! Oh, and Emma!"

When we moved away from Moscow I was disappointed

to learn that there was no orchestra program.

My formal training stopped there (can you really call it formal training?)

I never had a private teacher, that surprises a lot of people.

I tried to keep up on my skills by playing in the Community Orchestra

or in church, and in the orchestra for school musicals.

When I was packing up everything to leave for college

Maci walked into my room and said, "Are you taking Bob?"

A flood of emotions overcame me and I

all of a sudden wasn't so sure.

I hadn't picked up my violin for 3 months.

I didn't think I would ever have time for it, 

and I was 100% ready to leave him in Soda.

...or so I thought.

I brought him.

I couldn't leave him.

Then, a few weeks ago I was singing in 

the Women's Institute Choir and we came

upon a part in I Know That My Redeemer Lives

that split into a congregation part and a choir part.

Brother Lee admitted that he didn't know what

we were going to do for that part 

and before I knew what I was doing my hand was in the air.

I told him that I would play the congregation part

and he gladly accepted.

I just got back from another rehearsal

and I'm so filled with the spirit!

I love the way that playing Bob feels!

Sister Lee, our pianist, turned to me

after one run-through and asked how long

I'd been playing.

I told her that I hadn't played since my 

freshman year and she said, "In college?"

"Oh no, in high school."

"Are you in the ISU Symphony?"

THAT was sure a confidence boost!

Bob and me, we're a team :)